Her Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt was hailed by fans and TV industry pundits alike, being described by one critic as ‘the most fun jungle reality show in decades’. However, there was devastating news for Holly Willoughby earlier this month when execs on the streaming giant axed the show after one series, leaving her without a TV show for the first time in over two decades.
And a source tells Closer that Holly has been left panicking over what the future holds for her.
The 44-year-old’s career has been in turmoil since she quit This Morning in 2023, with her other main project, Dancing On Ice, later being axed.
A source tells Closer, ‘Holly worries that she is in career freefall and is feeling so unsure and lost. She’s told pals that she feels like an out-of-work TV presenter.
'She’s panicking that she won’t land something that reinstates her profile – but she’s also having thoughts about throwing in the towel. She’s up against competition for the first time, so it’s no wonder she is feeling wobbly.’
Holly – who shares children Harry, 15, Belle, 12, and Chester, nine, with husband Dan Baldwin – first found fame on children’s TV shows Xchange and Ministry of Mayhem, which she hosted alongside pal Stephen Mulhern.
She broke through to the mainstream in 2006, hosting Dancing On Ice with Phillip Schofield, who then hand-picked her to be Fern Britton’s replacement on This Morning.
The pair became close friends during their time on screen together – until 2023, when reports suggested they had fallen out. That May, Phillip stepped down from ITV after it emerged he’d had an affair with a younger male colleague. Holly withdrew from the show just five months later after it was revealed she had been the subject of a terrifying kidnap and murder plot.
Her old pal Stephen replaced Phillip on Dancing On Ice for two series until it was confirmed that it would not be returning.
The duo hosted two special episodes of You Bet!, but it was later announced that Stephen would host the full series of the reboot alone, with Holly only appearing as a guest panellist.
The source tells us, ‘Holly has said she doesn’t know what’s around the corner, but there is no certainty anymore – she’s just glad that Dan’s still got her back in all of this. She keeps reminding herself what will be will be.'
Holly’s TV producer husband Dan – who she was recently photographed enjoying a relaxing walk with – is behind many of Holly’s shows including Play To The Whistle, Take Off and Freeze The Fear – all of which have been axed.
His company is reported to be putting together a reboot of Blind Date, with Holly rumoured to be lined up as host – but the source says Holly may now be setting her sights Stateside.
The insider says, ‘Her experiences since Phillip-gate have scarred Holly and left her wondering if her TV career could be coming to an end.
‘ITV is no longer a safe house – Holly is preparing to spread her wings and has told pals it could be time to step out of her comfort zone, even if that means uprooting and going to the US.
‘She’s never been out of work, but now she’s entered a whole new realm of the unknown. Dan’s not letting Holly’s mind be filled with doubt, though, and is constantly reminding her about her amazing talents as a presenter.’
